Check Protect Overdraft FAQs

Check Protect is an overdraft privilege service. Your Check Protect limit amount will be automatically assigned; however, you must specifically opt-in for Check Protect to apply to overdrafts as a result of one time debit card and ATM transactions.

As long as you maintain your account in good standing, Civista Bank may approve your overdrafts within your current available Check Protect limit. Whether your overdraft will be paid is discretionary and we reserve the right not to pay. For example, we typically do not pay overdrafts if your account is not in good standing. Your account is in good standing if you (1) demonstrate responsible account management—such as making regular deposits to bring your account to a positive balance at least once every 30 days (including the payment of all bank fees and charges); (2) avoid excessive overdrafts suggesting the use of Check Protect as a continuing line of credit, and (3) there are no legal orders, levies or liens against your account. Please note that the amount of the overdraft plus our NSF item paid fee of $37 for each item will be deducted from your overdraft limit. No interest will be charged on the overdraft balance.

*Please refer to the Check Protect Customer Overdraft Policy for additional details

You will receive an overdraft notice in the mail each time items are paid. The notice will show the check number, amount and the NSF fee. You will need to subtract the total fees when balancing your checkbook.

Overdrafts above and beyond your established Check Protect limit may result in a check or checks being returned to the payee. The NSF item returned un-paid fee of $37 will be charged per item and assessed to your account. An NSF notice will be sent to notify you of our actions.

You should make every attempt to bring your account to a positive balance as soon as possible, and must do so within 30 days. If you are not able to bring your account to a positive balance within 30 days you will receive a letter from Civista Bank informing you of the situation and your options. If, thereafter, your account has not been brought to a positive balance, we may suspend your account and take other steps to recover the funds.

There is no additional cost associated with this privilege unless you use it. You will be charged our NSF item paid fee of $37 for each item created by check or through in person withdrawals and electronic transactions. ATM withdrawals and one time debit card transactions will only apply if you opted-in to this service. (For example, up to seven paid items in one day will result in $259.00 in NSF fees-maximum per day amount.) To help you manage your account, the total fees you have paid for NSF items (both paid and returned unpaid) during the current month and for the year-to-date, will be reflected on your monthly checking statement in accordance with Federal regulations.

If you are a new account holder, you may be able to use the overdraft privilege service 30 days after the account is opened, assuming you demonstrate responsible account management by making regular deposits to maintain your account with a positive balance, and there are no legal orders, levies or liens against your account.

Check protect costs you nothing unless you use it. However, if you would like to have this service removed from your account, please call our customer service department at 800-604- 9368.